Car Keys
by R. Craig 

I am sure that everybody who drives can remember what his/her first car was. My first road vehicle was a 1955 Dodge pickup although I had many field cars before that. Can you also remember what kind of car you took your road test on? I can remember mine. It was September of 1969 in my mom's new Plymouth Satellite. I  remember it like yesterday. And I am not afraid to admit that I failed my road test on my first try due to slight oversight on my part. All of the parking and "K" turns were fine but I got in the wrong lane when turning left on a one-way street. 

 Since that time over thirty years ago I have taken people for their own road test. Most were routine but there is one that stands out. My cousin wanted to take his road test  so he signed up for it and I agreed to take him and let him use my car. It was a 1964 Plymouth Sport Fury. It was a nice car with  good visibility and a automatic transmission so I figured it would work well for his road test. We lined up at the test site, which at that time was by the museum on Front Street in Owego. He was nervous and that was to be expected but I assured him that he would do fine. As I was giving him a driving pep talk the DMV  tester came along and my cousin  was on his own. I watched as they drove off in the old Plymouth figuring everything would be fine. And so I waited….and  waited….and waited. I happened to look down towards the end of Front  Street  and noticed the DMV tester stomping up the sidewalk with clipboard in hand, sweat on his brow, and a scowl on his face. I said to myself uh-oh! He came up to me and said in a somewhat snappy tone, "your car and your partner  are stranded over on Temple Street!"

 So I walked over to Temple Street and sure enough there was my car, and my cousin sitting there with a disgusted look on his face. I asked what happened and he said that right smack dab in the middle of his three point turn, the car died. And it wouldn't start. Traffic started to back up in both lanes and they finally had to push it off to the side. 

 Needless to say I felt bad for him. And yes, he failed the road test. I finally got the car started and we headed home. After a while we were able to laugh about it but I could sense his disappointment. Eventually he got his driver's license, but I have no idea who took him for his road test. I don't blame him for not asking me again although I would have gladly done it again. He went on to drive big rigs for a living and as far as I know, he still does. 

 I think a road test is a good thing. In fact, I would not be opposed to seeing a mandatory road test being required every ten years or so. Based on  what I see on the road these days I believe they would be much safer. Accidents don't just happen. They are caused by poor judgement and driver error. And everyone (myself included) has had bad judgement at one time or another. I can tell you one thing, if they ever implement mandatory road tests every few years, that one way street won't get me again!